Becoming A Christian
What the Bible Teaches About Eternal Life
Jesus told a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, “Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven” (John 3:3). To be born again means that a person comes alive spiritually. The Bible teaches that those who are not born again are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1,5). We cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we have experienced a spiritual birth. This new birth is a work of God and a gracious gift from Him. Following are some truths that highlight our need for salvation and God’s provision for us.
Your journey.
Becoming a Christian and building your relationship with God is a very personal journey. Follow these steps as you begin your Walk with God.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
The word “sin” is defined as violating the law of God. It means that we have disobeyed God. The Bible clearly teaches that everyone has disobeyed Him. Therefore, we fall short of God’s standard, and we do not have His approval resting upon us. Our sin has separated us from God, and we need to be reconciled to Him.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
We have all sinned and the result or consequence of our sin is death in all its forms (physical, spiritual, and eternal). This is what we have earned by our sin. It involves not only physical death, but also eternal separation from God.
However, God offers life to us in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Salvation cannot be earned by good deeds or religious rituals. It can only be received from God.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
We have all sinned and the consequence of our sin is that we have been separated from God. Our need is to be reconciled to Him.
The Bible tells us God demonstrated His great love for us in the sacrifice of His Son before we ever turned to Him for salvation.
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and did not deserve to take upon Himself the penalty for sin. However, because of His great love for us, He willingly became our substitute and suffered the penalty for sin in our place. He died for us.
The sacrifice of His Son is the only payment for sin that God will accept. We can in no way earn our salvation or pay for our sins. Those who reject Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross as payment for sin will be separated from God throughout eternity.
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9,13)
We have all sinned; there is a penalty for sin; Jesus has suffered that penalty for us.
There is something we must do. We must call upon the Lord for salvation. The Bible says whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Calling involves repentance, which means we are sorry for our sins, and we are willing to turn from them. Jesus said in Luke 13:3, “Except you repent you will all likewise perish.”
When we sincerely repent of our sins, asking God to forgive us, we can have full assurance that we have been forgiven and have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Eternal life is not received by doing good works, joining a church, or being baptized. We must admit that we have sinned (broken God’s laws) and ask forgiveness for that. We then commit ourselves to living for Him.
In all things, pray.
Although it is the attitude of the heart that counts, below is a suggested prayer to help guide you:
“God, I am sorry for sinning against You. Please forgive me. I believe Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins, and You raised Him from the dead. I now receive Jesus as My Savior. Thank You for saving me.”
May God bless your life with more of His presence.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 10:9-11 NKJV
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